Assessing Wind and Solar Resource Potential in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for On-Site Oilfield Electrification

Abstract

This study clearly illustrates that oilfields in Kurdistan are capable of eliminating the use of diesel by integrating hybrid solar-wind systems. The resource assessment performed for major fields indicates steady high values of solar irradiance (average between 5.4 and 5.9 kWh/m²/day) with moderate wind speeds appropriate to be integrated with turbines. Simulation outcomes from a GIS-based site appraisal, Weibull-oriented wind characterization, and HOMER Pro optimization affirmed that hybrids cut operational dependency on diesel generators drastically — fuel consumption drops by fifty-eight to sixty-seven percent in all locations where hybrids are installed. Some of the reasons these configurations have competitive levelized costs of energy between 0.045 and 0.068 USD/kWh which is well below the costs from electricity generation based on current diesel systems include lower net present cost improved system performance due to battery supported autonomy increased reliability as well as emission reduction which translates tens of thousands. It notes that hybridization not only yields economic results but also falls in line with the broader energy transition agenda of Iraq whereby it enables cleaner, decentralized, and more resilient power systems for remote oilfields. These results equally affirm renewable-driven hybrid microgrids as an economically compelling pathway and technically robust support for sustainable oilfield electrification in Kurdistan Region.